Hey, so I'm back. I hope you're enjoying Fight For You! To the reviewer who asked if I was still updating, yes! Of course haha! Just started sophomore year of high school and it's pretty easy. But not too easy though. I won't stop updating completely, but I'll let you all know before I go MIA!
(**WARNING** This chapter contains spanking of a minor. Don't like? Turn back now!)
Kirsten's gaze was directed to the floor at Ziva and Tony's stern, unwavering glares.
"Well?" Tony snapped.
"She's..um..." Kirsten started, biting her lip nervously. She was caught between telling the truth and hurting Lexi, or lying to protect Lexi and getting into bigger trouble.
"Kirsten, answer us. Where is Lexi?" Ziva ordered.
"I can't tell you," Kirsten whispered.
"And why not?" Tony demanded.
"Because...she told me not to," Kirsten admitted.
"Kit, you won't be in trouble. Just tell us," Tony coaxed gently.
Kirsten sighed. "Alright. She's at Emily Fornell's house," Kirsten confessed.
Tony grabbed his keys and put on his shoes. "I'll be back in a moment," he grumbled before leaving.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Ziva, I just-"
"It is okay, Kit. It is a lot of pressure to cover for someone, I know. You feel that by telling the truth, you hurt that person. But in reality, it is just hurting yourself if you lie," Ziva interrupted gently.
Kirsten nodded, glad that Ziva understood. Now, Kirsten felt angry at Lexi. She couldn't understand why her cousin craved mischief, constantly getting into trouble all the time. Then she dragged her into it. Kirsten normally wasn't a fighter or the violent type, but at that moment, she wanted to kick Lexi's ass. After Tony or Ziva did first.
~*~NCIS~*~
Tony strode purposefully out of his car and to Fornell's front porch. He angry knocked on the door and stepped back. None other than Fornell answered the door.
"Ah, Dinutso. Missing something?" Fornell asked in amusement.
"No, Fornell. I just came to compliment the tulips. Is Lexi here?" Tony retorted irritatedly.
"In Em's room," Fornell directed, letting Tony inside.
Tony walked up the stairs until he got to Emily's room. He was about to knock on the door when Emily opened if.
"Oh. Hi, Tony," Emily greeted.
"Hey, Em. Where's Lexi?" Tony inquired.
"Bathroom," Emily replied, pointing to a door across the hall.
"Thanks," Tony answered, turning and walking to the bathroom. Lexi opened the door and paled when she saw him.
"What's the matter?" Tony growled. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Tony, I-"
"Save it. I've had enough," Tony cut her off. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the front door.
"Thanks, Fornell," Tony called out. Closing the door, Tony continued to pull Lexi to his car.
"Tony, come on! Hear me out!" Lexi protested. Tony let her arm go and turned to face her.
"Why should I? So you can tell me how sorry you are and that you'll never do it again? That I shouldn't go to Gibbs and Jenny? That it wasn't your fault that you were bored and just wanted some excitement?" Tony shouted.
Lexi looked down and shrugged. "Well when you put it that way..."
Tony shook his head incredulously and got into the car. Lexi climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.
"So, wait in your room for Ziva?" Lexi asked casually.
Tony thought about that sentence for a moment before taking a deep breath. "No. Wait in our room for me, Lexi," he replied.
Lexi gaped at him in shock. "What?"
"You heard me, Alexia. When we get in, you wait in that room for me," Tony repeated firmly.
Lexi scoffed. "So what? You can give me an lecture?"
"No, I'm going to give you something that I should have a long time ago," Tony growled, turning into the parking lot.
"You can't be serious," Lexi hissed.
"I'm dead serious, Lexi. I'm not the pushover you thought I was," Tony remarked, getting out and closing his door. Lexi stayed put. Tony opened her door.
"Let's go," Tony barked.
"Nah, I think I'll stay here," Lexi replied casually.
"You want me to get Ziva? Because she will definitely show how upset she is with you real quick," Tony threatened.
"You wouldn't," Lexi growled, narrowing her eyes.
"There's a lot of things you think I wouldn't do. But I wouldn't try me if I were you, Lexi," Tony hissed.
Lexi's eyes widened. This new attitude was nothing like the Tony she knew. The sternness was unreal to her. This was even more surprising than Tim being angry.
Lexi huffed and exited the car, not before slamming his car door. Tony turned to her and glared.
"Very thin ice. One more step and you'll regret it."
For once, Lexi didn't say another word. Lexi stomped ahead of him up the stairs to the apartment, and walked through the door.
"Lexi!" Ziva scolded as soon as she stepped foot in the apartment.
'Great, as soon as I walk in, I get yelled at...' Lexi grumbled mentally.
"Where were you, young lady?" Ziva demanded.
"At Emily Fornell's house."
"After I told you to stay in the apartment? You directly ignored my instructions!"
"It's not like I went far," Lexi protested.
"I do not care whether it was near or far. You do not know how upset I am with you right now," Ziva snapped.
"It's not my fault you decided to come home early," Lexi retorted.
Ziva abruptly grabbed Lexi's arm, pulled her close to her and placed a very hard swat to her backside.
"Oww!" Lexi whimpered, shocked that Ziva really smacked her.
Lexi could detect some force behind that swat. Even through her jeans, it brought tears to her eyes.
"I see you've managed to piss off Ziva already," Tony remarked dryly.
Lexi glared at both of them, her hands rubbing the place where Ziva smacked her. "Go into our room and wait, Lexi," Tony ordered.
Lexi jutted out her chin and stubbornly stood her ground. "NOW!" Tony thundered.
Lexi quickly turned and power walked it to the room and slammed the door. Tony groaned slightly.
"What are you going to do with her, Tony?" Ziva asked.
Tony took a deep breath. "Something I should have done a long time ago. She had this coming, and she's going to take me seriously from now on," he replied seriously.
Ziva kissed his cheek. "Be strong, Tony," she whispered, turning away.
Tony sighed then made his way to their bedroom. He opened the door and saw Lexi lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Tony closed the door behind him and Lexi sat up.
"Tony, I just want you to know that I didn't mean to sneak out," she piped up.
"Really. Why did you?" Tony inquired quietly.
"Huh?" Lexi asked, off guard that Tony really gave her the chance to explain herself. She hadn't really thought of the real reason.
"Why'd you do it? You knew you'd get caught. You knew it was wrong. But why did you sneak out knowing that it was the wrong thing to do? It wasn't just for the excitement."
Lexi bit her lip and looked down. "I don't know. I guess I was just testing the waters with you a bit..." Lexi shrugged.
"No, you were testing the waters with me a lot," Tony commented.
"I guess that I thought you wouldn't really do anything," Lexi sighed.
"Now what do you think I'm gonna do?" Tony asked, crossing his arms.
"Maybe let me off with a very stern warning and reprimand knowing that I've learned my lesson and we all can put this behind us?" Lexi suggested with a hopeful smile.
Tony chuckled humorlessly. "Heh, nope. Not a chance. I may not be Gibbs, or your mother, but it's about time I stepped up as not only your older brother, but your guardian as well," he replied.
"You aren't still gonna-"
"Ohh yeah. I am. In fact, I think that we should get it over with right now," Tony interjected, sitting down on the bed. Lexi stood up.
"You know, Tony. I think we should all just hit the hay. I mean, you've had such a busy day at work and all, and you probably don't really have much energy and-"
"Lexi."
"Yeah?"
"Stalling is not going to help you here," Tony answered.
Lexi's shoulders dropped in defeat and she sighed. "Tony, please don't spank me, I've learned my lesson!" she pleaded.
"Alexia Marie Shepard-Gibbs, get over my lap right now. You aren't making this any easier for any of us. Don't make me get Ziva's wooden spoon," Tony snapped.
"Why can't Ziva spank me instead?" Lexi asked desperately.
"Nope, you aren't getting off that easy," Tony replied sharply. "Now are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way?"
Lexi huffed and crossed her arms firmly in front of her in a pout, not moving. "Fine. You want it the hard way, you get it the hard way," Tony growled, grasping her arm and pulling her over his lap.
"Let me go, Tony! I'm serious!" Lexi yelled.
"Yeah? Well so am I," Tony retorted, raising his hand.
SMACK!
Lexi gasped, then began to struggle and kick in an attempt to make him stop. "Argh! Tony! Stop!" Lexi grunted as Tony continued to cover her backside with hard swats.
"This SMACK! is long SMACK! overdue SMACK! Lexi. SMACK! SMACK! You've had this SMACK! coming SMACK! for a long SMACK! SMACK! time now," Tony lectured, not missing a beat.
Each of his spanks felt like Abby's, Tim's, and Ziva's put together in her opinion, but Lexi was determined not to show that she was in pain. "You've got to-ah!-Do better than, argh, that, Dinozzo!" Lexi challenged through gritted teeth.
Tony shook his head. "Oh trust me, we are not finished here," Tony commented, pausing finally.
Lexi felt Tonys hand grasp the waistband of her jean shorts and tug them down to her knee hollows, and she gasped sharply. "Tony!" she squeaked in protest, reaching back to pull them up. Tony gently held her wrist to the small of her back and continued.
Lexi inhaled sharply at the volley of smacks that continued to assault her now burning backside. Tony raised his left knee to target Lexi's sit spots, causing Lexi to cry out.
Tony took this time to lecture once more, slowing down the punishment. "Are you going to sneak out again, Alexia?"
Lexi shook her head frantically, her curls flying. "No! I-I promise!" she cried.
"You gonna disrespect me or any adult for the rest of the time you're here?" Tony continued, smacking her harder.
"No! I won't, I swear!" Lexi promised desperately. Tony finished the spanking with smacks to her thighs, making Lexi sob openly.
Tony stopped and let her up, pulling up her shorts. Lexi cried into Tony chest, with him running his fingers through her hair and he kissed the top of her head.
"You're okay, little sister," Tony soothed. He kissed her forehead once more and set her to stand.
"T-Tony?" Lexi sniffled.
"Yes, Lexi?" Tony sighed.
"You aren't going to tell my mom and Gibbs, are you?" Lexi whimpered.
Tony crossed his arms. "And what makes you think I shouldn't?"
"Tony, come on," Lexi begged, shaking her head.
"No, Lexi! You do this all the time. Misbehave like a naughty 8 year old, get punished and then expect us not to go to Gibbs and Jen. Not this time," Tony growled, turning towards the door.
"Tony, wait!" Lexi shouted. Tony stopped walking.
"I'm serious this time. I'm really sorry for everything. But just hear me out. Mom just adopted me, and shortly after, she leaves off for a 10 day honeymoon. How do you think I feel? I finally got a mom who cares about me and then we spend no time together and she just leaves, temporarily. If you go and tell them, you'll not only disturb their honeymoon, but disappoint Gibbs and Mom, too. I'm used to it with Gibbs, but not with Mom. She's the last person that I ever want to disappoint, because she doesn't deserve it, but I keep screwing up every time. I have never had a Mom that cared before her, and I'm really trying to keep my attitude in check. But I just miss her, Tony..." Lexi's voice cracked at the last sentence.
Tony realized that her actions weren't just random, it came out of yearning for her mother. "Lexi-"
"No, Tony let me finish. I know it's your job to go report anything to my parents, but I need you to understand that hearing the disappointment in my mother's voice and actually feeling Gibbs' glare through the phone will hurt me more than you know. I'm sorry you had to punish me tonight, but I'm glad you cared enough to do it. So I'm begging you, please just understand as my older brother, not my responsible guardian. Don't tell my parents," Lexi finished, tears running down her cheeks.
Tony stared at her in slight shock. He had no idea that Lexi felt this way. Sure, she missed her parents, but this was a lot deeper than that. "Alright," Tony answered quietly.
"But just know that-"
"I know. I won't, I promise," Lexi cut him off, nodding seriously.
"Alright. Bring it here," Tony whispered, beckoning her to him.
Lexi immediately went into them, grateful for the comfort. Tony sighed as he felt his phone vibrate, taking a moment to snake his hand down into his pants pocket and pull out his phone.
"Hello?" Tony answered. He turned to Lexi and held the phone towards her. "It's Gibbs."
Lexi took the phone and held it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hey, Lex," Gibbs greeted softly.
"Hi, Gibbs," Lexi replied, grinning happily. "How's Paris?"
"Beautiful as usual. It would be a lot better with you here," Gibbs responded.
"Really?" Lexi asked in disbelief.
"Oh yeah. We miss you, honey. Especially your mother," Gibbs stated sincerely.
Lexi beamed at the words 'your mother'. She couldn't get enough of it. "Is-is she there?"
"Yeah, right here," Gibbs replied.
There was a slight shift in movement before Jen answered. "Hello?"
"Mom?" Lexi said.
"Hey, Lexi girl," Jen greeted.
"How's the city of love? Is it fabulous?" Lexi asked half-heartedly.
"It's wonderful. But we are missing you everyday," Jen told her.
Lexi smiled slightly, tears dripping from her eyes. "I-I miss you too, Mom," she whispered.
Jen detected the sadness in Lexi's voice. "Don't cry, Lexibear. We will be back so much sooner than you think," Jen soothed.
Lexi sniffled. "Really?"
"Really. Have you been good so far?" Jen inquired.
"Yeah, she's been great, Jen," Tony cut in before Lexi could answer.
"Well that's great, sweetie. I'm proud of you," Jen praised. Lexi grinned widely at the praise and Tony winked.
"I miss you both so much, Mommy," Lexi's voice cracked.
"Not as much as we miss you, my baby. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Lexi girl. We love you so much and we have a surprise for you soon," Jen responded.
"I love you guys, too," Lexi sniffled.
"Alright, honey. Talk to you soon," Jen remarked.
"Bye, Lex. We love you," Gibbs added.
"Bye," Lexi choked out. The call ended and she just stared at the phone in her hands. Tony took the phone and gathered her in a tight hug as Lexi sobbed into his shirt. Tony lifted her up and carried her to his bed, placing her down gently with a kiss to her forehead.
"You'll be alright, Lex," Tony whispered, turning out the light and leaving the room.
~*~NCIS~*~
So, I started school recently and that's why I haven't updated. Plus volleyball is really testing out my self confidence which is pretty low. 5 hours of sleep a night plus tons of homework is getting to me. And updates won't be too often since I'm preparing to move to a new house, so everything is really hectic. But I will still be updating Fight For You so be patient! Thanks for reading!
-Ally :)